The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-05-07
DOMESTIC HINTS.
How an Old Bachelor Would Revolutions
lie Existing Housekeeping Methods.

lie Existing Housekeeping Methods.
In washing potatoes preparatory to
cooking, it is the custom of experienced
housekeepers to battle the tubers in
tepid water. This will be found much
more expeditions process than the COM
mon practice of breathing upon them or
moistening with the lips and polishing
with a coarse cloth.
When it is expedient to fill kerosene
lamp while burning, it is generally adj
visable to delegate the task to the least
good-looking female member of the
family. Should there be an explosion,
eventuating in the permanent disfgure-
ment of her countenance, the lamp will
be credited with the full measure of her
lack of beauty, and consequently be, as
it were, blessing in disguise.
A merciful man is merciful to his
beast Hence it betokens most COM
mendable consideration for the lower
strata of the animal kingdom to en-
brace every opportunity to ameliorate
the condition of these dumb creatures.
A most estimable lady, actuated by this
noble sentiment, and whose worthy ex-
ample should be followed by all house,
holders having a real love for Gods
lesser creations, regularly leaves her
dishes unwashed after meal in order
that the water-bugs may find something
wherewith to satisfy the cravings of
their appetite.
Houskeepers who have long been SUBJ
ject to the annoyance caused by the
noisy Naturalization of the pestilen-
tial alarm clock in the early morning
hours, when sleep is the sweetest. will
be glad to know that very cunning
device has been invented by lady who
had suffered much from the boisterous
alarm clock. The device is simple and
can readily be copied and at small ex-
pense. 1t consists of bag, made of any
thick wooden material, of double thick
ness, with liberal layer of cotton or
lambs wool between the outer and inner
envelope. The clock is then inserted in
this bag, which is furnished with run
ming string, by means of which it
can be tightly closed. 1t works to
charm, and it is safe to predict that it
will soon be considered indispensable
in all families unprovided with a
domestic whose personal attractions are
of that variety which is said to stop
clock.
There is such thing as taking too
much precaution, even in housekeep-
ing. 1t is good judgment, perhaps, to
lock the piano when leaving the do
nestle alone in the house, for obvious
reasons; but in most families it is not
considered necessary to lock up the
wash-tubs in order to prevent the
young ladies of the family from gain
ing access thereto.
1t should be the constant endeavor
of the careful housekeeper to remove
from sight whatever is unpleasant to
look at. There is, however, danger of
going too far in this as in other mat
tiers of home regulation. For example,
when you are expecting guests not pos
sessed of that physical gift which is
said to be but skin deep, it is not good
policy to turn the faces of the mirrors
to the wall, as your kind intention
would be liable to misinterpretation.
1t having been shown that the greater
part of the wall papers contain poison
Gus substances, it follows that the less
of wall paper we have in our houses the
less liable shall we be to illness in con-
sequence of the poison contained in
wall paper. Many methods for re-
moving these offensive wall-coverings
have been tried, with very little success.
The only sure method is to have one or
two vigorous infants in the house. Set
them upon the floor, where they can
get at the wallpaper, and let nature
take its course. You need take no
further thought of the matter. The
walls in few short hours will be as
bare as the heads of the gentlemen who
fill the front seats at the variety show.
Housekeepers should remember, when
making bed, not to follow the old
custom of Selling the slips by the teeth
when putting pillows into them. There
are several reasons why this should not
be DONE In the first place, there is a
possibility of biting through the cloth.
Then there is no one to see and admire
your teeth, so the practice is uncalled-
for in the display of ones pearly treas
ures. But the main objection lies in
the fact that the teeth of the present
day are not calculated to remain in
position under the violent strain which
the FELLOWSHIP act calls for. 1t is very
humiliating to have ones teeth ex-
tracted unanimously by pillow.-BoS.
ton Transcript.
Franks of a Church Mouse.
! Tho coft ctr,i,,c of fLo Orrsor tbr